Google Inc.http://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/4219/all
enHow To Monetize Your Site with Google AdSensehttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_monetize_your_site_google_adsense
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/googleadsense_teaser.jpg" width="150" height="79" class="graphic-right" />We could always use a little extra cash in our pockets, and Google’s AdSense service is a great way to make some extra change without sifting through the couch cushions for quarters. All you have to do is place a simple snippet of JavaScript in your website's source code and Google will start serving up ads on your site. Then, everytime a reader clicks, you'll hear "cha-ching" all the way to the bank...or something like that, anyway. It's easy to do this in iWeb, too. Read on and we'll teach you how.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>What You’ll Need:</h3><p>&gt;&gt; Google <a href="http://adsense.google.com" target="_blank">AdSense</a> Account <br />&gt;&gt; iWeb or other website <br /><br /></p><h3>1. How to Create a New Ad Code</h3><p>The first step to getting Google AdSense on your website is to create a new ad code. If you’re using iWeb, skip over to step two to begin the how-to.<br /><br />If you’re planning on using AdSense on more than one website, log in to your AdSense account, then click the AdSense Setup tab. Once there, click “AdSense for Content.”</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/choose_ad_type.png"><img src="/files/u12635/choose_ad_type.png" width="620" height="270" style="border: 1px solid black;" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>AdSense for Content will display ads that are targeted to your audience, based on the type of content found on your website or blog. You'll be prompted to select between an Ad or Link unit; an Ad unit is a advertisement box containing either text ads, image ads, or both, and a Link unit is a box containing relevant links to other sites based on the content on your web page. Select the type of ads that suit your needs and then click continue.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/choose_ad_format_and_color.png"><img src="/files/u12635/choose_ad_format_and_color.png" width="620" height="279" style="border: 1px solid black;" /></a></p><p>The next page is devoted to choosing the ad format and colors. The first option is to select the Format of your ads. If you’re confused about the different types of ad formats, you can visit a <a href="https://www.google.com/adsense/adformats" target="_blank">Google help page</a> to see exactly what the <a href="https://www.google.com/adsense/adformats" target="_blank">different formats look like</a>. Next, choose your colors, fonts and corner styles to match your website's layout design. When you are finished configuring the format and colors, click the Continue button.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/choose_ad_channel.png"><img src="/files/u12635/choose_ad_channel.png" width="620" height="274" style="border: 1px solid black;" /></a></p><p>Next, you will be able to choose an Ad Channel, which will enable you to track the performance of the ad unit you are creating. For instance, you can create a new channel for each site you are placing ads on to see which particular site is making you the most money.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/save_and_get_ad_code.png"><img src="/files/u12635/save_and_get_ad_code.png" width="620" height="232" style="border: 1px solid black;" /></a></p><p>The final screen lets you specify a name for the ad unit you just created. Give it a name (perhaps with the name of your site for later reference), then click the Submit and Get Code button.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/adsense_unit_code.jpg"><img src="/files/u12635/adsense_unit_code.jpg" width="620" height="206" style="border: 1px solid black;" /></a></p><p>You will then be presented with your AdSense JavaScript code that was created from the steps that we just went through. This is the code that we need to begin our journey into advertising. Copy this code onto your clipboard and we’ll put it to use in the next few steps.<br /><br /></p><h3>2. How To Place AdSense onto Your iWeb sites</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/google_adsense_widget.png"><img src="/files/u12635/google_adsense_widget.png" width="600" height="353" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>Open your site in iWeb, then click on Insert &gt; Widget &gt; Google Adsense.</p><p><img src="/files/u12635/adsense_setup1.png" width="474" height="294" /><br />A new window will open, letting you create a new account or log in using an existing account. For our how-to, we already have an account.</p><p><img src="/files/u12635/adsense_setup2.png" width="474" height="294" /><br />Next, you’ll need to provide some verification information to authenticate with AdSense. Enter your email address and Zip/Postal Code or the last 5 digits of your phone number. When you’re finished, click Submit. This will cause Google to send you a verification email to authenticate iWeb with AdSense.</p><p><img src="/files/u12635/adsense_setup3.png" width="474" height="294" /><br /><br />After you exit the set up wizard, you will be presented with a Google ad box on your iWeb site. You can drag this box around to any location on the page you wish.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/widget_on_page.png"><img src="/files/u12635/widget_on_page.png" width="620" height="461" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>Select the Google AdSense module to adjust the size and the color of your advertisements. Only the colors that match your site's theme will be available.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>3. How To Place AdSense on Virtually Any Website</h3><p>If you don’t use iWeb, or have another website you wish to put ads on, you can easily paste the AdSense unit code on any HTML webpage.</p><p>If your website runs on a content management system or only allows limited tweaking, there are other ways to get AdSense on your site. If you’re using Blogger, check out the <a href="http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&amp;answer=42291" target="_blank">help documentation</a> to get started with AdSense on your <a href="http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/topic.py?topic=21510" target="_blank">Blogger account</a>. Or if you use WordPress there’s a plug-in called <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/quick-adsense/" target="_blank">Quick AdSense</a> that will let you easily paste in a code or a widget. <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_monetize_your_site_google_adsense#commentsAdSenseAdvertisingApple Inc.Google AdSenseGoogle Inc.iwebmonetizewebsiteHow-TosWed, 02 Feb 2011 17:40:35 +0000Cory Bohon9686 at http://www.maclife.com14 Great Tips and Tricks for Utilizing Google Voicehttp://www.maclife.com/article/features/14_great_tips_and_tricks_utilizing_google_voice
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/google_voice_large.png" width="380" height="271" /></p><p>Back when it was nothing but a small, tiny speck of the internet, Google launched its over-the-air voice calling service called Grand Central. The service was supposed to provide tools and features that you might otherwise have to pay for, like unlimited voicemail, unlimited nationwide calling, unlimited texting and voicemail transcription, but for absolutely free. The service took off, and now Google's VoIP service is a hit. Everyone and their grandmother has the feature enabled on their mobile phones because of its easy set up, whether they're using a Smartphone or dumb phone, iPhone or Android phone. <br /><br />But what if there was more from Google Voice than its advertised features? We've got 14 awesome tips and tricks to get Google Voice working like a boss, and more than just another free phone-over-the-internet service. Read on for tips on how to do things like send free text messages, block calls, and set up different voice messages for different people. <br /><br /><strong>First things first</strong>: If you have a Google account, then you have a Google Voice account by logging in at <a href="http://voice.google.com" target="_blank">Voice.google.com</a>. <br /><br /><br /></p><h2>1. Make and receive calls from within Gmail</h2><p><br /><br />In recent weeks, Google has offered <a href="http://www.google.com/chat/voice" target="_blank">voice calling right from within Gmail</a>. This feature allows you to call using your Google Voice Number without the need to pick up a phone.<br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_gmailcalling1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_gmailcalling1.png" width="380" height="281" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To get started, log in to your Gmail email and locate the Chat box in the left-hand sidebar. From there, you should see a new contact called Call phone; click it. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_gmailcalling2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_gmailcalling2.png" width="380" height="345" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />A small box will popup on the right-hand side of your Gmail window displaying a dial pad. You may be prompted to download and install a small plug-in that will enable you to make a phone call. You wil also be able to dial a number or type in a name from your Google contact list to call. Make sure the Sound settings on your Mac are set up correctly.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>2. Send and receive free, unlimited text messages</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Text messaging has become extremely popular over the past few years, and for good reason. However, one big annoyance is that it can be expensive to sign up for a plan that gives you unlimited messaging. Fortunately for smartphone users, there's a way around all of that.<br /><br /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_textmessage1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_textmessage1.png" width="390" height="561" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />Open <strong>Voice.google.com</strong> in your mobile phone’s web browser and sign in. You should be presented with the dialer, but tapping on the small new message button will bring you to a page where you can type in a phone number, or choose a contact from your address book. You also have a message box where you can type in your text message body. You can then send or discard the message.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_textmessage2-1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_textmessage2-1.png" width="390" height="560" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />When you receive a response back, it will be in your Gmail's inbox. Tapping on any message will allow you to see all of the messages in that thread. You can then text reply, call, or archive the message by pressing the appropriate buttons at the bottom of this page.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>3. Set up voicemail transcriptions</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When someone calls your Google Voice number, you can have the message automatically transcribed into text, then emailed to your mobile phone. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_voicemailtranscription1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_voicemailtranscription1.png" width="620" height="446" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To turn on this useful feature, visit the Google Voice settings by clicking Settings &gt; Voice Settings from the menu in the upper right-hand corner. From there, select the Voicemail and Text tab. Under the Voicemail Notifications section, check the box labeled Email the message to, then select the appropriate email account from the drop-down box. You can also add a different email address, or have Google Voice text message your mobile phone when you get a new voicemail. Then, you need to check the box labeled Transcribe Voicemails under the Voicemail Transcripts section, then click Save changes. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/gvoice_voicemailtranscription2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/gvoice_voicemailtranscription2.png" width="391" height="563" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />Now whenever someone calls your Google Voice number and leaves a message, you will get an email at the specified address, allowing you to instantly see what the person said. There will also be a link where you can listen to the actual voicemail. Granted, the transcription system doesn’t always get the words right, so, as they say, your mileage may vary.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>4. Set up a blocked calls list</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sometimes, you may need to block people from calling your Google Voice number. Google makes this extremely simple. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/block_call_1-2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/block_call_1-2.png" width="497" height="347" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />From any recent call, text message, or voicemail, simply select the more option, then select Block caller. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/call_block_2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/call_block_2.png" width="324" height="210" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />A pop up window will ask if you’re sure that you wish to block the caller and will allow you to listen to the message that blocked callers will receive when trying to call your number. Note that this feature will only block calls coming in through your Google Voice number. If someone knows your actual home or cell number, they can still call that number.<br /><br />All blocked calls, voicemails, and text messages will end up in the Spam folder in your Google Voice account. If you no longer wish to block someone, you can visit the Spam section, select the more option again, and choose “Unblock caller.” This will restore the message to your inbox and unblock the caller.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>5. Customize voicemails for different people</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p><p>With Google Voice, you can have different voicemail greetings for different callers. Say, when a work contact calls they get a more professional greeting, but when your friends or family calls they get something silly. This is accomplished by specifying Groups for your different contacts. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/customgreeting1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/customgreeting1.png" width="620" height="301" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To do this, head over to Settings &gt; Groups. From this screen, you can manage your groups and contacts using the Manage Groups link. When you’ve finished creating and managing the groups through that link, return to the Groups settings and click the edit button under the appropriate group. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/customgreeting2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/customgreeting2.png" width="620" height="288" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />From the edit page, you will be able to set which phones the call gets forwarded to, and under the section labeled “When people in this group go to voicemail”, you are able to select or record a new voicemail greeting. When done, click the save button to automatically have anyone in that group receive the specified voicemail when they call your Google Voice number.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>6. Record your phone calls</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Occasionally, you may want to record personal, business, or conference calls for later reference, and Google Voice can happily oblige. Simply press the number 4 when you first accept a call, or anytime during the call. When you want to stop the recording, press 4 again. A voice will audibly note whether or not the call is being recorded.<br /><br /> Please note that Google does not allow you to record calls that you make, only calls you receive. There are also some state and Federal laws that may apply to recording phone calls--so, y'know, don't try to go all FBI on us and record your super secret conversations. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/call_recording_1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/call_recording_1.png" width="620" height="446" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />After you have finished the call, the recording will be available in your Google Voice account by clicking on the Recorded section in the left-hand sidebar. You can listen to a previously recorded call by pressing the small play button located underneath the date and time stamp information.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>7. Embed recorded calls and voicemails onto webpages</h2><p><br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/embed_voicemail_1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/embed_voicemail_1.png" width="534" height="330" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />With Google Voice, you can embed voicemail and recorded calls onto any webpage just as you might with a YouTube video. To do this, simply navigate to any voicemail or recorded call and select “Embed” from the more drop-down menu. This will popup a box with the embed code and a box that will allow you to type in a caption if wanted. <br /><br />Situations where this might come in handy: an over-the-phone engagement, a crank call to the local pizza joint, or if someone posts a celebrity's phone number on the internet and you want to prove to all the world that, yes, you did talk to Dylan McDermot on the phone for half a second.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>8. Switch phones while in a call</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Something that you can’t do with a standard phone is switch from a mobile call to a landline call, but Google Voices does this! Simply press the star (*) key while you’re in a call and all of your other phones connected to Google Voice will ring. Simply pickup a ringing phone and your call will be instantly re-routed.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this feature will only work when someone calls you, not when you make an outbound call.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>9. Set up a virtual PBX (Private Branch Exchange)</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/nopbx_large.jpg"><img src="/files/u12635/nopbx_large.jpg" width="350" height="310" /></a><br />A PBX phone system is the lifeline of many companies, but smaller companies might not be able to afford the luxuries that these phone systems can provide, such as extensions, multiple voicemail boxes, etc. With Google Voice, however, you can create your own private, virtual PBX system. <br /><br />You can simply register all of your personal (or company) phones, then when someone calls, all of your available phones will begin to ring, allowing you (or another person/employee) to answer any phone. You can then transfer the call to another person by pressing the * key like we showed you in step 8. <br /><br />When you’re closed, or no longer taking calls, you could then enable Google Voice’s “Do Not Disturb” feature that will automatically send all calls to voicemail, without ringing any of the phones.<br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/donotdisturb_gvoice.png"><img src="/files/u12635/donotdisturb_gvoice.png" width="620" height="87" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To enable this feature, navigate to the Settings &gt; Calls tab. Check the box labeled Enable Do Not Disturb. You can optionally set an expiration time in minutes, hours, or days. When you’re done, click Save to have all calls directed to voicemail.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>10. Screen a call before answering</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sometimes you may want to know who is calling from a particular number before answering. Well, there is a nifty feature named Call Screening that will allow you to listen into a call even while someone is leaving a message. This will allow you to determine how to handle the call: answer, send to voicemail, or record it.<br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/callscreening.png"><img src="/files/u12635/callscreening.png" width="620" height="149" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To enable this feature, visit the Settings &gt; Calls tab and ensure the On box is selected under the Call Screening section. Optionally, you could have Google Voice ask unknown callers to say their name when calling your number. When you’re done, click the Save button.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>11. Integrate your Google number with other phone systems</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There are many instances where you may need to have a phone number, but don’t necessarily want to give our your mobile phone number. Enter Google Voice.<br /><br />Our own <a href="http://www.maclife.com/user/roberto_baldwin_0" target="_blank">Roberto Baldwin</a> uses Google Voice to control his apartment doorbell system. When someone buzzes the doorbell, it will ring all the phones in his account, allowing him to answer and let someone into his apartment no matter where he’s at. Try doing <em>that</em> with a regular phone number. Plus, you have the ability to turn off forwarding when you don't want to be disturbed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>12. Set up one phone number to rule them all</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The number that Google Voice assigns you can be used for life. It’s the only phone number you’ll ever need because when you get a new cell or home phone number, you can just register it in Google Voice and delete the old one. <br /><br />However, there are times where you may require a new Google Voice phone number because you’ve moved and perhaps want a new local number. For a $10 one-time fee, you can change your number. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/change_number.png"><img src="/files/u12635/change_number.png" width="468" height="313" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />From the Google Voice main page, click your phone number in the upper right-hand corner of the screen (or navigate to Settings &gt; Phones). Once there, click the Change link beside of your Google Voice number. A screen will popup that will walk you through the number changing and checkout process. Note that your old number will continue to forward calls to your new number for 3-months after you change numbers. This extra bit of time will allow you to notify your existing contacts that your number has changed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>13. Create a voicemail-only number</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Google Voice is great when you want a single interface to control all of your calls, but some people are more than happy with their existing phone number. But you can still put your Google Voice account to good use by turning it into a voicemail-only number. By doing this, people can call your Google Voice number to leave you a voicemail in your roomy, unlimited voicemail inbox. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/voicemail_only.png"><img src="/files/u12635/voicemail_only.png" width="620" height="301" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />To do this, navigate to Settings &gt; Phones and uncheck the box under the Forwards to section for all of the phones associated with your account. By doing this, no phone will ring when someone calls your Google Voice number. After a few rings a caller will be directed to your voicemail, allowing someone to send you a voicemail only.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>14. Create call widgets for your site</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you run an online business, or just want people to have a quick way to get in touch with you via a phone call, a call widget on your website can help. To embed a call widget on your website, navigate to Settings &gt; Call Widgets. <br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/callwidgets-1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/callwidgets-1.png" width="620" height="432" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />Once there, click the Add a new Call Widget link. A new page will allow you to specify a name, pick a style, and choose whether or not to ring a phone or send the call to voicemail. You can also select a greeting or record a new greeting. The call presentation section lets you set whether or not you want to have Google Voice ask callers for their name when calling.<br /><br /><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/callwidget2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/callwidget2.png" width="620" height="99" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />When you click the Save button, you will be taken back to the Call Widgets settings page where you will be presented with the embed code for your website. You can place this code anywhere on your website, just as you would embed a voicemail or YouTube video. When someone clicks this button on your site, they will be asked to enter their phone number and Google Voice will connect the two calls.<br /><br /><br /><br />As you can see, the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to Google Voice. Do you use or know of another cool feature of Google Voice? Let us know in the comments below.</p><p><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/features/14_great_tips_and_tricks_utilizing_google_voice#commentscallFeaturesGoogle Inc.Google voiceiphoneiPhone How-Tosphonetext messagingtips and tricksvoicemailFeaturesHow-TosWed, 03 Nov 2010 22:15:48 +0000Cory bohon8626 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Voice to Become Comeback Kid In App Storehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_voice_become_comeback_kid_app_store
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/gvmobile_large.png" width="380" height="343" /></p><p>GV Mobile, the unofficial Google Voice application, may actually make it back to the App Store after all. After the GV Mobile application was <a href="http://www.maclife.com/tags/gv_mobile" target="_blank">pulled</a> by Apple almost 2 years ago, along with the Official Google Voice application (which never made it past the approval process), many Google Voice users wondered if they would ever see the Google Voice functionality in an app on their iOS devices. But a recent tweet by GV Mobile application developer, Sean Kovacs, revealed that Apple has finally broken their silence about Google Voice on the App Store.</p><p>"<em>Good news: I did get confirmation back from Apple that it will most likely get back in once I resubmit,</em>" tweeted <a href="http://twitter.com/seankovacs" target="_blank">Sean Kovacs</a>.</p><p>This definitely is good news for the many Google Voice users who patiently <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_voice_comes_iphonesorta" target="_blank">await</a> either an <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_says_apple_did_reject_gvoice_pulls_confidentiality_statement" target="_blank">official</a> or unofficial solution for dialing numbers through <a href="http://voice.google.com" target="_blank">Google Voice</a>. GV Mobile allows you to call contacts in your Google Voice address book or your iPhone address book through your Google Voice number, send and receive text messages through your Google Voice number, and retrieve your voicemail.</p><p>There's no word yet on when (or even if) Apple will approve the app for the App Store, but Kovas remains hopeful that the application may be back on the App Store <a href="http://twitter.com/seankovacs/status/24127503416" target="_blank">in a week</a>.</p><p>Apple's change of heart may be linked to the new <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_releases_new_app_store_review_guidelines" target="_blank">developer guidelines</a> that were published yesterday, but there's no word yet on if this is the case.</p><p>via <a href="http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/google-voice-making-an-app-store-comeback-20100910/" target="_blank">Geek.com</a></p><p><em><br />Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a></em>.<br /><br /></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_voice_become_comeback_kid_app_store#commentsNewsApp StoreApple Inc.application developmentdialerGoogle Inc.Google voicevoipiPadiPhoneiPodFri, 10 Sep 2010 18:38:23 +0000Cory Bohon8211 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Music Gets Closer to Realityhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_music_gets_closer_reality
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/Google_music_mock_large.jpg" width="380" height="138" /></p><p>We've heard a few rumors about Google Music in the past, but the <em>New York Post</em> believes that Google could be in "accelerated" discussions with music companies to make Google Music a reality sooner than later. As Apple touts at many keynote addresses, iTunes currently holds 28% market share of the digital music download business. With Google Music, it is rumored that the search engine giant could grab some of that market share for its self.</p><p>Google's VP <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Rubin" target="_blank">Andy Rubin</a> has said to be in "accelerated" talks with music companies to get digital publishing rights for "as many songs as possible to ensure the launch of a Google Music Store," says <em>the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/google_music_takes_step_closer_to_DzECghjpkQgtWDDSljF3PO" target="_blank">New York Post</a></em>.</p><p>According to the article, the talks have advanced so much that we could see a Google Music store as soon as November or December. Rubin recently held talks with the Harry Fox Agency, which distributes licenses to music publishers and has rights to almost 27,000 songs.</p><p>As we <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_music_take_itunes_music_store" target="_self">reported previously,</a> there have already been leaks surrounding Google Music, most notably a logo from Google's own site. It is rumored that with the purchase of Simplify Media, Google could implement the music store on Android devices.</p><p><em>Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a>.<br /><br /></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_music_gets_closer_reality#commentsNewsandroiddownloadsGoogle Inc.Google MusicmediaMusicstoreMon, 26 Jul 2010 18:41:50 +0000Cory Bohon7705 at http://www.maclife.comMobile YouTube Gets HTML5 Update for iPhone and Androidhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/mobile_youtube_gets_html5_update_iphone_and_android
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/iPhone_YouTube_redesign_large.jpg" width="380" height="204" /></p><p><a href="http://youtube.com" target="_blank">YouTube</a> received an update today that allows the mobile website to play video using HTML5 on iPhone and Android devices. The interface has received a design facelift that lets users interact easily using a touch screen device. The new site lets you flag, share, rate, save, and comment on videos right from one page.</p><p>In addition, you can switch between the high quality (HQ) versions of videos on YouTube. This is something that is a much missed feature in Apple's YouTube application. With this feature, you can now play better quality videos while on EDGE instead of 3G. Videos will also load much more quickly through the mobile website than through the YouTube application because Apple has an encoding process that videos go through before appearing in the app. This new mobile website will also work with the iPad, providing a lager interface than the iPhone website does.</p><p>You can visit the new redesigned site by going to <a href="http://m.youtube.com" target="_blank">m.youtube.com</a>. You can also watch the video Google released below demoing the new site (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGT8ZCTBoBA&amp;feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">direct YouTube link here</a>).</p><p><object width="379" height="228" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/GGT8ZCTBoBA&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xd0d0d0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GGT8ZCTBoBA&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xd0d0d0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></p> <p>via <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/07/07/youtube.mobile.page.can.now.skip.flash/" target="_blank">Electronista</a></p><p><em>Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/mobile_youtube_gets_html5_update_iphone_and_android#commentsNewsandroidGoogle Inc.HTML5iphoneupdatevideoWebYouTubeWed, 07 Jul 2010 22:21:51 +0000Cory Bohon7511 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Reader Mobile Just Got Betterhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_reader_mobile_just_got_better
<!--paging_filter--><p><img align="right" height="236" src="/files/u12635/google_mobile_reader_relaunch_medium1.jpg" width="150" />Sure there's third-party applications that will let you view your RSS feeds from Google's Reader web app, but many apps are either feature-lacking or ad supported. The mobile version has long been stripped of its desktop-version counterparts, but Google is changing that. </p><p>The mobile version of Google Reader has undergone some user interface changes that adds some much needed features, like magic-ranking and search. These new items can be found in a handy drop-down menu in the mobile web
application. </p><p>In addition, the title links of the items in a feed are links to the original post -- something the desktop version has had for a while. <a href="http://googlereader.blogspot.com/2010/03/more-reader-features-in-your-pocket.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/dtKx+%28Official+Google+Reader+Blog%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">Google notes</a> on its blog that these items mean, &quot;there's always a consistent space for your thumb to hit so you can advance to
the next item.&quot;</p><p>You can access Google Reader mobile by going to <a href="http://m.google.com/reader" target="_blank">m.google.com/reader</a> </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img height="253" src="/files/u12635/Google_reader_mobile_relaunch_large1.jpg" width="380" /> </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://googlereader.blogspot.com/2010/03/more-reader-features-in-your-pocket.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/dtKx+%28Official+Google+Reader+Blog%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">Official Google Blog</a> via <a href="http://justanotheriphoneblog.com/wordpress/iphone-software/google-reader-mobile-just-keeps-getting-better" target="_blank">Just Another iPhone Blog </a></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_reader_mobile_just_got_better#commentsNewsGoogle Inc.Google ReaderiPod touchMobile SafarireaderRSS FeedsWeb AppFri, 19 Mar 2010 03:22:57 +0000Cory Bohon6279 at http://www.maclife.comNexus One Comes to AT&Thttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/nexus_one_comes_att
<!--paging_filter--><p><img height="176" src="/files/u12635/nexus_one_att_version_large.jpg" width="380" /><br /></p><p>The Google <a href="http://googlenexusoneboard.blogspot.com/2010/03/nexus-one-now-compatible-with-at-3g.html" target="_blank">blog</a> states that an additional version of the Nexus One is available at the Google web store, and is entirely compatible with AT&amp;T's 3G network. This new model can be purchased as an unlocked device without a service plan, and will also work with Rogers Wireless in Canada. And, it can be used with most GSM operators globally. The AT&amp;T version of the Nexus One can be ordered from the Google
store for $529.</p><p>This news could mean more competition between Apple and Google is on its way. You may remember that Apple recently <a href="/article/news/ugly_nexus_one_if_apple_wins_patent_suits">filed a patent lawsuit</a> over several Android OS features. With Google stepping on the iPhones direct turf, it could make this situation even more interesting. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/nexus_one_comes_att#commentsNewsAT&TcompetitionGoogle Inc.Nexus OneWed, 17 Mar 2010 01:10:03 +0000Cory Bohon6259 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Rolls Out Buzz, Tries To Reinvent Social Networkshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_rolls_out_buzz_tries_reinvent_social_networks
<!--paging_filter--><p><img height="90" src="/files/u12635/google_buzz_large.jpg" width="380" /> </p><p>Google has rolled out a social networking feature for Gmail users
called Google Buzz, but it makes us wonder what we're ever going to use
it for.</p><p>In the same way <a href="/article/feature/20_cool_uses_google_wave">Wave</a> did it, Google Buzz is combining a few things we do online into one place: your Gmail inbox. A mash between Google <a href="http://latitude.google.com">Latitude</a>, Wave, and Friendfeed, Google Buzz lets you stay even more connected online.</p><p>The Google Buzz social network, which rolled out this afternoon, gives users the ability to link Picasa, Flickr, Google Reader, and Twitter accounts. You can access your linked social networks, post/get updates to Google Buzz and linked social networks, and peruse your friend's updates. When you get responses to any of your posts on any of your linked social networks or on the Google Buzz network, you'll automatically get an email in your Gmail inbox. In addition, people you email often will automatically get added to your friend list in Google Buzz. </p><p>You can share your Buzz posts publicly or with just a few of your friends, and when your friends comment on one of your posts, the comments appear in your inbox in real-time -- similar to the way Google Wave works. You can also share photos, videos, and links with your friends over Google Buzz. Photos are displayed in a photo browser that users can easily view photos in, videos such as YouTube content is displayed in the message without the need to visit the site, and links can automatically grab the content and images on a site and display it in the post (similar to the way Facebook &amp; URLs in messages work). </p><p>There are some similarities between Google Buzz and Twitter, however, such as sending @ replies. Except, when you send an @ reply in Buzz, the user will automatically be notified in their Gmail inbox. Replying to that message will post a comment on your post that was sent to them. In addition, Buzz will automatically recommend friends to you who discuss similar content. </p><p>Now, when and where can you get Google Buzz? Well, Google is still rolling out the service to Gmail users, so if you're lucky, you might already have a link to it inside of your Gmail inbox. In the meantime, you can watch the introduction video below, and visit the <a href="http://buzz.google.com" target="_blank">Google Buzz page</a> to find out more information. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" width="425" height="344"><param name="width" value="425" /><param name="height" value="344" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yi50KlsCBio&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yi50KlsCBio&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1"></embed></object></div>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_rolls_out_buzz_tries_reinvent_social_networks#commentsNewsBuzzFacebookFriendFeedGmailGoogle Inc.social networksTwitterTue, 09 Feb 2010 23:46:06 +0000Cory Bohon5971 at http://www.maclife.comBusinessWeek: Why Can’t Apple & Google Be Friends?http://www.maclife.com/article/news/businessweek_why_can%E2%80%99t_apple_google_be_friends
<!--paging_filter--><br /><img alt="Apple vs. Google" height="223" src="/files/u220903/Apple_vs_Google_380px.jpg" width="380" /><br /><em>Image courtesy of BusinessWeek</em><br /><br />They’re only 10 miles apart from each other in Silicon Valley and have spent almost a decade as best buddies, but Apple and Google may be gearing up for the mother of all battles, with the mobile computing crown as the ultimate prize.<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_04/b4164028483414.htm" target="_blank"><br />BusinessWeek has an extensive look</a> this week at the friction brewing between Apple and Google. Both companies have enjoyed a healthy, loving business relationship for almost a decade -- after all, Google was the only company to make a contribution to the original iPhone with the Maps application at a time where it was walled off to everyone else.<br /><br />But things began to unravel in late 2007, when Google announced their own open-source Android OS for mobile devices. It came less than six months after Apple started selling the first iPhone, which ultimately led to Google CEO Eric Schmidt giving up his seat on the Apple board as the two companies’ interests started to intertwine more and more.<br /><br />“Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said at the time, “Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings.”<br /><br />The heat got turned up last summer with Apple’s very public rejection of two Google apps for the iPhone, including one for Google Voice, which also had the side effect of having already-existing third-party developer apps with the feature removed from the App Store.<br /><br />But with this month’s introduction of Google’s Nexus One “superphone,” there is no doubt that the two companies will now move from simple saber-rattling to a possible all-out war. “Apple and Google both want more,” says Chris Cunningham of New York mobile advertising firm Appssavvy. “They’re gearing up for the ultimate fight.”<br /><br />As usual, Apple had no comment for the BusinessWeek story, but Google did provide a statement from Vic Gundotra, their vice-president of engineering: “Apple is a valued partner of ours and we continue to work closely with them to help move the entire mobile ecosystem forward.”<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_04/b4164028483414.htm" target="_blank">The exhaustive BusinessWeek piece by Peter Burrows</a> is well worth a read in its entirety, especially since the skirmish between the two companies could ultimately do more harm to the mobile business in the long run if it continues...<br /><br />http://www.maclife.com/article/news/businessweek_why_can%E2%80%99t_apple_google_be_friends#commentsNewsApple Inc.GoogleGoogle Inc.Technology NewsiPhoneFri, 15 Jan 2010 14:20:23 +0000J.R. Bookwalter5772 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Mobile App Gets Updatehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_mobile_app_gets_update
<!--paging_filter--><p><img align="right" height="300" src="/files/u12635/Google_Mobile_App_for_iPhone.jpg" width="199" />The Google Mobile App for iPhone has been updated and adds some nifty features.</p><p>The application will now open search results inside of the application, instead of opening up Safari.app. There's also support for iPhone users inside of China, a new search bar interface, the ability to choose the spoken language for searching by voice, and the size of the history search list is now increased.</p><p>Easter eggs, or extra but hidden features, that were in the application before have now been exposed for all. This includes visual customization by changing the color scheme, and an animated waveform while doing a voice search (only available on faster devices).</p><p>The application is still available for free by downloading (or updating) from the App Store [<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-mobile-app/id284815942?mt=8" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>].</p><p>via <a href="http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/09/12/10/links.open.from.within.app/" target="_blank">iPodNN</a> </p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_mobile_app_gets_update#commentsNewsAppApp StoreApple Inc.GoogleGoogle Inc.updateupdatesFri, 11 Dec 2009 00:26:26 +0000Cory Bohon5519 at http://www.maclife.com